Sorry if this a newb question.

[Marcos]

I am going to run a 240 line from my breaker box... I am gonna use a 30amp breaker and I am running an older comp, on the motor its says it draws 14amps at 240. I am gonna be using 10 gauge wiring. Is the 30 amp breaker and 10 guage wiring sufficient, the compressor is about 30ft away.

The comp is 2HP.


Also if the compressor has 3 wire plug and my house dryer has a 4 wire plug because its a new home, does that mean I will have to run a 4 wire connection when I run the new breaker?

 

[timgr]

As I recall, 10 ga is correct for 30A. Check the NEC to be sure.

The dryer needs a 4th conductor to split the 220 into 110. The controls are run at 110 V. The compressor uses a single voltage (220 V), so only needs the two hot conductors and the ground. Some older dryer plugs are 3-prong, tying the ground to the neutral. For the compressor, you need 10-2 wire, with two insulated conductors and a ground.

 

[PAToyota]

The dryer needs a 4th conductor to split the 220 into 110.

To better explain it, 110V needs the neutral as the return since you don't have the two "alternating" hots of 220V.

 

[Marcos]

Okay cool, thanks people, I was worried that the compressor wasn't gonna work.

 

[Marcos]

one more quick question, My garage has 2 different 15amp breakers for the outlets. Can I change one to a 25amp or 30amp to use my welder.. my Garage is about 5-10ft away.

 

[trovato]

one more quick question, My garage has 2 different 15amp breakers for the outlets. Can I change one to a 25amp or 30amp to use my welder.. my Garage is about 5-10ft away.

The breaker must be of the correct amperage to protect the wiring. A 15 amp circuit typically is wired with 14 Gauge wire. It is inadequate for 25 or 30 amp use. The only way you can do what you propose, is if the original wire is 10 gauge. This is unlikely.

 

[Marcos]

well its a 110v welder, it rated at 23amp draw... When I lived at my mothers house I would weld on a 20amp circuit, is it safe to change the breaker to a higher number?

 

[timgr]

No - the wire in a 15 amp circuit is too small. Not safe, could cause a fire.

 

[Marcos]

Thats all I needed to hear thanks for the help...